Midi Skirt Week: Dressed Up and Down

So, this is a dress and not a skirt but its a midi! I need to do a thrifted favorites post about this dress. It's not in my spring capsule because the zipper needed to be fixed, but if it wasn't a problem I would be wearing this nonstop. I love this dress! Its a beautiful fabric- silky and light, perfectly draped. I tried this dressed up and dressed down, casually for work and then what I would wear for date night or a more casual event.

Thrifted dress, Gap loafers, scarf from Turkey

Thrifted dress, Jessica Simpson shoes, Target necklace, Old Navy bracelets

Fancy

What a weekend! And its only half-way through. Yesterday I celebrated my brother's engagement to one of my favorite people and so I was surrounded by friends, family, and Persian dancing. Yes please.

This dress was a last minute find in Nordstrom Rack (when I found my leather pants) and I had to quickly alter it myself. If I could offer advice to any person who doesn't always fit exactly into off-the-rack pieces, it would be to learn to alter things yourself. I learned because I thrifted these cool pieces that weren't quite right, and my mom's sewing machine was waiting in the closet for me to master (not that I've mastered it- I can sew in a straight line and that's really all it takes for minor alterations). You give me an oversized t-shirt and I'll tighten up the sleeves to make it a dolman shirt. You give me a giant skirt, I'll make it fit my figure. You give me a pair of flared pants, I'll make them skinny. Anything more than that I quake in fear and go to a tailor. But that's really all the alterations most things need- a little pinning and tucking here and there. Granted, I've only ever taken things in, only because I don't know how to let things out! I am very comfortable buying too big, especially because I have (relative to the rest of my frame) broad shoulders. If I had bought this dress to fit the rest of me, I'd be looking like the Hulk!

Dress (originally from Nordstrom Rack on major sale, at Kohl's for not major sale), Jessica Simpson flats, Nine West purse (similar)

I can't say enough good things about these shoes- they're comfortable, they're a little funky because they lace up, and they're black- which is always a plus for me. They also come in a nice taupe and are only $50, which for comfy cool shoes is a good deal as far as I'm concerned. Look for them a lot in the coming weeks- I have a feeling that the rest of my shoes will be taking a break. 

Pleats

This dress was a last minute thrift find. I was killing time in Texas Thrift (giant, but somehow usually devoid of anything worthwhile) and I as I was leaving, I happened upon this dress on the dressing room reject rack. I loved its retro vibe and its simplicity. I don't usually go for pleats but something about this dress made me feel cool and unique, a little like I just popped into Zara for a little black dress.

In the summer I wore this with simple black ankle strap sandals and a little bright purse but I struggled to transition it into fall and winter, which surprised me because it layers well. Maybe it looks a little weird with ankle boots? Regardless, I'm glad I included it in my spring capsule.

Because of the rain this afternoon I had to switch from the loafers to my trusty red rainboots, which was fine. I don't mind break up all the black and white happening lately!  

Thrifted dress,  Loft button up (sold out, lovely alternative), Gap loafers (similar in blush), thrifted necklace

Last of Winter

This is my last look from my winter capsule, and I can't say I'll miss it! I learned a lot about my personal sense of style and I can't wait to bring that learning into my spring capsule.

I wore this get-up to celebrate my brother's engagement to my lovely friend and future sister-in-law! I'm so full of joy to be welcoming her into our family!

Ann Taylor button up, Target dress (similar), Zara boots (similar)

Thrifted Favorites, Part One: The Tale of the Amazing Camel Leather Riding Boots

I've mentioned before that some of the pieces in my wardrobe are thrifted. What I did not mention is that thrifting may or may not be my biggest hobby. There is something so rewarding about digging through racks and racks of weird 90s cropped sweaters and brightly colored capris and finding a gem that adds a little extra oomph to your closet. Some of my favorite items are thrifted, and I want to share my all-stars with you to give you an idea of why thrifting can be a killer way to spend an hour or two. Or four, if you're me.

The Tale of the Amazing Camel Leather Riding Boots

I found these at a Salvation Army in Wichita, where there was nothing good on the racks. I turned to leave, then I spotted their enormous shoe display. Usually thrift stores don't have a plentiful supply of shoes that can fit my obnoxiously large feet (I wear size 10, which for someone who thrifts is annoying because all the shoes seem to be size 7). I rarely check out the shoes for this reason, as well as its slightly gross to think of someone else's foot sweat touching your feet.

But then I saw these. Two thoughts came to mind- they're not my size, and they're not real leather. I pulled them out of the rubble of nasty kitten heels with peeling soles and tried them on, my eyes only slightly popping when I found that not only could I zip them over my heel, but they were essentially brand new and therefore not grossly sweaty. These beauties were in pristine condition, and even though the material was questionable, I gladly paid all $14 dollars and took them home to wear as I pranced through fall leaves and sipped tea wearing gloves. 

Since buying these boots, which was quite early in my career as a thrifter, I feel like my style was really kicked up a notch. I have always considered shoes one of the most important parts of an outfit; they say so much about the person's idea of style and comfort. If you put two people in the same outfit in front of me, one in well-cared for suede loafers and the other in Champion sneakers (athletic brand from Target), I can tell a lot about how they perceive themselves and want to be perceived by others. I loved these boots immediately because they made it seem like I had put thought into a more expensive purchase rather than the Target flats and sneakers I had been running around in. They also made me feel way more polished and grown up. Thus started my love for good shoes.

An extra bonus is that, after much research, testing, and speculation between E and I ((Full disclosure: I just googled the brand)), the boots turned out to be real leather. I thought they must be real because the Thrift Gods were smiling on me that day. Regardless, for the last 3 years I've worn these boot so much that last winter I had to get the heel replaced because I had worn through the rubber and could hear the click of the nails every time I stepped.

I don't know how fashionable riding boots are these days, everyone seems to be exclusively wearing ankle boots, but I'll always love them because darn it, they keep my legs warm. I love styling them with black skinny jeans and an oversized sweater, or with button up layered with a sweater so I look like I'm about to go play polo with the lads at the club. They're a fall staple for me because that camel color sings bright leaves and jackets, despite the fact that now they're significantly more scuffed up that I would like. However, I'll probably wear them I find another pair of perfect brand new riding boots from Salvation Army. So I'll wear them forever.

Head to toe thrifted: similar scarf and dress

Forever 21 shirt (similar), Gap jeans

Target sweater (similar on sale!), Mango button up (similar), Gap jeans, 

Apartment 9 necklace (similar)

Can't thrift your own? Here are some similar options:
Lauren Ralph Lauren at DSW
Zigi Soho at DSW
Loeffler Randall Marit amazing perfect boots that are ungodly expensive!

Playing catch up

This week has been madness! I'm so glad to finally be catching a break after rushing home from a cancelled class to see E before he went to work. I'm trying to catch up on my outfits, its been busy enough so far that I haven't been home when its light enough to get a decent shot!

Lauren Conrad blazer (similar), thrifted button up, Mango jeans, Gap loafers (similar)

 Old Navy turtleneck, Mango skinny jeans, Chinese Laundry flats

Joe Fresh button up (similar, super on sale and lovely), thrifted sheath dress (similar), 

Gap ankle boots

I love this dress! I hadn't originally put it in my capsule for this season but I added it back after missing it and day dreaming about looking like a 40's secretary going to a funeral. I love this length but it was killing me on campus going up and down the stairs! 

Hope the rest of the week is a little more laid back for everyone!

Monday at the cafe

I wore this to go work on E's essay at a cafe. Another gorgeous day in Texas! ((Full disclosure: I definitely added tights and a sweater. Did I need it? No. Did I feel silly leaving my house in January sleeveless and pantless? Yes))

Target dress (old, similar), Nordstrom Rack pashmina scarf (old, similar), Gap ankle boots (sold out, similar), Bulova watch